JERSEY CITY -- The death of Fire Captain Gregory Barnas, a 29-year veteran of the Jersey City Fire Department, has left a pall over local officials.

Barnas died from a fall off a restaurant roof while serving as a volunteer firefighter in Wallington on Thursday.

Baranas started out as a volunteer in Wallington as a young man, officials said, before joining the Jersey City Fire Department. But he continued to offer services to the town where he started.

“This is a sad time for the entire city as we lost a true public servant who served his city bravely for 29 years,” said Mayor Steve Fulop, "and then to use those skills to help others on his own time in his hometown. It speaks to the character of Captain Barnas.”

The death hovered over many of the firefighters who were dispatched to handle the three-alarm file at the West Side Avenue Islamic Center in Jersey City on Friday.

“We are reminded today through Captain Barnas of all the selfless uniformed servants that put their lives on the line to protect ours,” Fulop said. “Today our thoughts and prayers as a city are with the barnas family and we are beyhond thankful for his decades of love and service to Jersey City.”